With home values still falling, many homeowners have put aside their dreams of selling and settled for the next best thing: remodeling. A growing number of Americans are spending more on home renovations, and new data suggest they’re not just throwing on a new coat of paint or replacing that leaky fridge. Homeowners spent an estimated $115.9 billion in the year ended June, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Smartmoney.com’s AnnaMaria Andriotis explains this growing trend. Download MP3

U.S. crude-oil prices have hit the skids, but drivers aren’t feeling the impact. The U.S. benchmark oil price, which is determined by trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, or Nymex, has tumbled by almost a third since April. That raised expectations for gasoline prices to drop just as quickly at the pump. WSJ’s Ben Lefebvre lets us know if there is any relief in sight for consumers. Download MP3

About WSJ This Morning

Wake up with America’s first news – The Wall Street Journal This Morning. Host Gordon Deal and news anchor Gina Cervetti go beyond the headlines with the day’s first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world; bringing a lively blend of intelligent information, humor, and expert analysis to morning radio.

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Biographies

Gordon Deal Before taking the helm at The Wall Street Journal This Morning in November 2005, Gordon was well-known to New York City radio listeners, having worked at both WINS-AM and WCBS-AM where he honed his writing skills and developed his distinctive on-air reporting style. He also served as New York City bureau chief for Metro Networks where his reports aired on WOR-AM and WABC-AM.

Gina Cervetti has an extensive radio news anchoring and reporting background including several years at Boston NPR affiliate WBUR-FM where she anchored the local production of "All Things Considered" and "Here and Now." Gina is an Associated Press Award-winning broadcaster, whose reports have been heard all over New England, including WRKO Boston and WTAG Worcester. She graduated from Boston University.

Mike Gavin oversees the production of the show which includes coordinating segments with WSJ reporters, editors, and outside newsmakers. He also oversees the sound and content of the show including all music and sound elements. Mike had spent a decade in radio programming and production before finding a home at WSJ Radio in 2007. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and son.